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Human pharmacology of tranquilizing drugs
Author(s) -
Domino Edward F.
Publication year - 1962
Publication title -
clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.941
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1532-6535
pISSN - 0009-9236
DOI - 10.1002/cpt196235599
Subject(s) - chlordiazepoxide , meprobamate , chlorpromazine , tranquilizing agents , medicine , reserpine , pharmacology , anxiety , diflunisal , sedative , drug , psychiatry , diazepam
The widespread confusion in the classification of various tranquilizing drugs is due to the fact that there are no specific tranquilizers at this time. All available drugs have numerous pharmacologic actions in addition to ataraxia. Some of the newer drugs used to relieve anxiety are related pharmacologically to the well‐known classic sedative and soporific compounds. Some agents, like chlorpromazine and reserpine, etc., have much less soporific effect but do have other marked pharmacologic actions. The position of the reviewer is that there are no truly specific tranquilizers and that most central nervous system depressants in proper dose or circumstance may be used clinically in man to relieve anxiety and produce tranquilization. The concept of the dose‐response relationship of these agents is discussed. Drugs with relatively flat dose‐response curves for central nervous system depression tend to be the most useful in relieving anxiety without producing too many undesirable actions. The pharmacology of several selected agents and related congeners is discussed in detail. These include the substituted phenothiazines, the Rauwolfia alkaloids, meprobamate, and chlordiazepoxide.